Press Releases21 Jan 04

New Dean of Christ Church Cathedral

NEW DEAN OF CHRIST CHURCH CATHEDRAL

21 January 2004

New Dean of Christ Church Cathedral

The Archbishop of Dublin has appointed the Reverend Canon Robert Desmond Harman, MA, to be the next Dean of Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin and Incumbent of the Cathedral Group of Parishes, as successor to the Very Reverend J. T F Paterson BD, who has retired.

Canon Harman (62) was educated at Sligo Grammar School and at Trinity College Dublin, where he studied Hebrew and Oriental Languages. He was ordained in 1967 and served six years as curate-assistant of Taney, followed by thirteen years as Rector of Santry and Glasnevin. Since 1986, he has been Rector of Sandford and Milltown, chaplain of Alexandra College, Bloomfield, Westfield, New Lodge and the Royal Hospital, Donnybrook. He is married to Susan, and they have two daughters, Karen and Lynn, and one son, Mark.

As well as parochial responsibilities, Canon Harman has been a member of the Cathedral Chapter since 1991 and became Canon Treasurer in 2002. He was editor of the Church Review, for many years, during which time he established it as one of the leading Church publications. At the central Church level, Desmond Harman was the driving force behind the Bishops? Appeal for World Development in its formative years. In 1999, he was elected one of the two Clerical Honorary Secretaries of the General Synod, a post of responsibility and influence, and also more recently Church of Ireland contact person for the Porvoo Churches.

It is hoped that the Installation will take place in the Cathedral on Monday 26th April 2004.